Thursday, January 12, 2017

Are your drivers running over their straps? You can train them all you want, but once they roll out of the yard, they're probably going to do whatever they want. Solutions: Make a checklist of all the equipment and what kind of shape it is in when you put the driver in the truck. Anything that doesn't return in tht shape is his or her responsibility and will come out of the settlement check.

You wouldn't borrow someone's car and return it without the radio? Or with a hole in the tire?

I know straps are probably pretty far down the list of items to worry about, but there is an improvement you can order on your straps-- reinforced eyes. If the driver drives over the wheel straps, this will at least protect the strap where it is sewn around the hook, which is typically where the most wear and tear happens. This is only available on our Diamond Weave brand of straps, which I should add have two different patents for abrasion resistance and also edge protection.Click here for more replacement 3 point wheel strap tie-downs.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

This is what happens to wheel straps when they get driven over. One solution is to move the strap out of the way. If you don't want to do that, then get your straps with reinforced eyes. It doesn't add much to the cost, but it will give you way longer strap life if you are tough on your straps. Google: SS-S-2x12RE-WH-RCS-DW to see pics of our sleeve reinforced eye.

Auto Transport Professionals: Now that winter is over, take a look at your posts and sliders. If your posts are developing rust scales or graphite accretions, spend a bit of extra time with a needle gun to prepare the surface before you apply more dry film graphite. You'll be glad you did next winter if your trailer has any sticky positions. And if you need any graphite paint, take advantage of our pre-order special.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

With U.S. auto sales slightly off the annualized vehicle sales seen in the last half of 2015, one might wonder what 2016 will be like, let alone 2017 and 2018.

If one looks at the long-trend charts, in early 2014 the U.S. auto industry appears to have clawed back its losses from the Great Recession.

However, an interesting trend has developed in recent years as the average age of cars on American roadways has climbed to 11.5 years. This has been attributed to both longer terms of finance contracts as well as higher quality of construction.

If Mr and Mrs Car Buyer can't afford a new car (they're upside down in their finance contract, because they signed up for an 84 month term)... and their car is doing just fine, they won't buy a new car.

However, a great deal of sales momentum remains in the light truck market, on account of continued growth in residential building, up 18% this year. Just try and get a carpenter to come to your house for a remodel. Many are already booking new work into 2017, because their dance cards are full! Source

With taxes what they are, most contractors are more than willing to buy a shiny new truck or van as a tax write-off. They can either keep the old one and pay extra tax, or buy the new truck and have the use of it for all the extra miles they're running trying to keep up with the demands of work.

Looking at an even wider set of data, the news for construction in general looks even rosier. As residential construction continues to accelerate, so does work for energy and utilities. And since Congress passed the Highway Approporiation Bill, construction on the nation's aging infrastructure should also support sustained demand for vehicles. Source

We hear a lot of talk about the Millenials avoiding the purchase of cars in favor of living close-in to urban centers and using public transport. This will almost inevitably change as they start families and confront the difficult economic realities of finding enough room to store their children's toys in a 650 square foot apartment.

It is probably safe to say that there will be plenty of work hauling cars in the next few years. The bigger questions are: Will the loads pay? Will fuel prices snap upwards in the next three years?

We know that as more car haulers enter the field, load prices tend to drop in different regions. This is already starting to happen in certain areas. Those car haulers who rely on Central Dispatch brokers to pay them a fair price for their services are risking disappointment... and bankruptcy if fuel prices move up sharply.

However, the trucking company that cultivates business relationships with dealers directly, and finds more profitable lanes in which to run, should have a pretty good prospect of prosperity.

So as in many areas of enterprise, the smart guys will find a way to make a buck.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

OK this news article from Automotive Logistics made me laugh out loud. In Europe, apparently there is a real problem in outbound logistics, because there aren't enough trucks to haul the freight. "Why is that," you ask? Apparently, the automakers negotiated rates so low, and so many trucking companies went out of business, there were fewer companies willing to invest in the assets to provide transport service.

Imagine that! If you want someone to provide a service, you have to pay enough that they not only will NOT go out of business, they will actually MAKE MONEY. If an industry is deemed to be unprofitable, fewer companies want to invest in it.

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

In the first week of June this year, the DOT and safety enforcement officials will be spending extra time inspecting your tie-downs. Just how many inspectors? Approximately 10,000 inspectors at 1,500 different inspection points.

If you haven't double-checked your tie-downs, now would be a good time to do so!

Monday, February 02, 2015

One of our favorite customers, Felix from Cobalt Recreational Transport sent us some pictures of some classic cars and hot rods he's been transporting using our horizontal e-track wheel straps with ratchet. Check these out!
So as you can see, e-track rails and e-track wheel straps are not just for enclosed car haulers. They also work well on solid floor decks like Featherlite!